Arizona whitewater, Salt River

Most of this river runs through the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. (... ) It is very important because you MUST buy a permit from the tribe to run this river. This river is navigable only from March-May, and very occasionally they will open it again for August. It is only to be run by experienced river runners, due to the big rapids which go up to Class IV. If you don't know whether you are an experienced river runner, then you don't

belong there. There are commercial companies who will take you on a rafting trip for about $130. It's a lot of fun, it's an all-day trip, includes a good lunch. This is what I would recommend for the tourist. Some of the

companies that run trips are raftthesalt. Com, Canyon Rio, In A Raft, Wilderness Aware Rafting. Again, this is only in March and April, sometimes into May.

You can't enter this property or drive the dirt road along the river without a permit. You can't camp or fish without a permit. The tribe will give you a ticket and might also confiscate your gear! You need to get a permit! Says Elizabeth

This section of Salt River in

Gila County is 60 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class II-IV section. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Arizona is often more difficult than elsewhere, so if you're visiting here do keep
in mind that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. Great exercise and spending some quality time in nature are great reasons to come. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you
want to stay the night, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the Route 60 to Roosevelt Reservoir section is just one of them.